324 THE VOYAGE OF THE JEANNETTE. 



aloft the view is far less discouraging than it was a 

 month ago. Then the ice-field was all broken up by 

 confused masses and heaps of shattered floes, the result 

 of the winter's conflicts. Under such circumstances I 

 fear five miles a day would have been an impossibility 

 with loaded sledges. Now these masses are greatly re- 

 duced, and though rough and hummocky they are not 

 impossible to pass; I think a mile an hour might be 

 made without great difficulty. Then if we had been 

 forced to abandon our ship by her being destroyed we 

 could have reached the Siberian settlements only by a 

 miracle ; now, if our ship by some accident is taken 

 from us, our chances of reaching Siberia, or open water, 

 are greatly in our favor. By excellent observations I 

 establish our position to-day in latitude 72° 45' 46'' N., 

 and longitude 178° 16' "W., and a magnetic variation 

 22° 15' E. 



April IWi, Monday. — In progressing with the work 

 of cleaning ship the starboard chart-room had its turn 

 to-day. The accumulation of ice was considerable back 

 of the drawers, where the moisture from the cabin had 

 condensed, but not so great as in my room and in the 

 tiller-room. To try to force the backward spring I al- 

 tered the arrangement of things in my room, closing 

 the door leading into the chart-room, and opening the 

 door communicating with the cabin, and thence by the 

 starboard door to the deck. I am somewhat premature, 

 I find, for my room is too cold for comfort, whereas 

 during the winter I was at least moderately comfort- 

 able. Having had the l30x containing iie transit in- 

 strument under my mattress ever since leaving San 

 Francisco, I concluded to place it under my berth in- 

 stead, thereby gaining a more comfortable rest in a less 

 elevated position. 



